Khomutovska, Nataliia
- Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
- University of Warsaw
Abstract
Under arid conditions of the Eastern Pamir Mountains, the high-altitude lake-wetland systems perform important ecological functions, including water storage, resting and feeding sites for wild animals, and supplying fodder for yaks, sheep, and goats bred in the area. However, their functioning and ecological roles are being modified by ongoing climate changes, especially the rising temperature and alterations in precipitation patterns observed lately for this region. This chapter presents the biodiversity of microorganisms, plants, and animals recorded in the Rangkul and Shorkul Lakes and their surroundings, including the habitats of wetland, grassland, cold desert, and rocky screes. As a biodiversity hotspot, this area was declared a Ramsar site (1085), a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA), and an Important Bird Area (TJ013). Yet, no systematic biodiversity monitoring is performed there, and grazing pressure is growing. Hence, there is a need for the elaboration of sustainable use and conservation practices for this area.
Keywords
Biodiversity; Central Asia; Habitat island; Lake-wetland system; Nature conservation
Published in
Title: Aquatic Biomes : Global Biome Conservation and Global Warming Impacts on Ecology and Biodiversity
Publisher: Elsevier
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Ecology
Publication identifier
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-15726-4.00025-6
- ISBN: 9780443157257
- eISBN: 9780443157264
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/142904